Issues with FTE on 9mm Pro 5"

[Kaldor]

Im having some issues with FTE on my Pro. Well, let me rephrase that, my wife is having problems with it.

The load is 147 Hi-Tek coated over 3gr of Titegroup. Its a very accurate load for me in this pistol, and in 1000 or so rounds Ive fired of this load I personally have never had a FTE with it, slow fire, fast fire, it always works. In fact in the 3000 rounds Ive shot out of this pistol in the last 6 months, Ive never had a single issue.

However, hand this pistol to my wife, and every round FTE's.

Ideas?

 

[Fastbolt]

Unable to offer any insight unless I could observe her shooting it.

More often than not, some grip technique/stability issues (grip firmness, wrist lock, etc) can create some annoying issues that many folks assume to be "gun" problems.

It's not unreasonable to suspect that if it were a "gun" problem, I'd suspect you'd have been experiencing it, as well.

Not familiar with your load, though. How closely does it mirror factory pressure and bullet velocity (and slide velocity/cycling) for the same weight bullet?

If it's a somewhat lighter power load, and yet the load runs the gun normally in your hands ... but not in her hands ... it might just be an unfortunate nexus of a lower-powered load being combined with a "just enough" lower-powered shooting grip.

FWIW, does she experience the same issues shooting any factory loads in the Pro? If so, does it occur with higher or lower powered loads within the 9mm spectrum. (Defensive vs. budget practice, etc)

It can be annoying to try and suss out a couple of possible influences at the same time, huh?

BTW, I was trying out a M&P9 Pro 5" one of the other instructors bought for duty, and it was an absolute soft-shooting, tack-driver with our 124gr +P duty ammo. Nice.

 

[jimbo728]

Have her lock both wrists when firing. My daughter had the same problem with her husbands Storm.
Jim
ps
if unsuccesful buy her a revolver. Good Luck

 

[Will2]

3.0 grains might be a little low if her hold is not as firm as your hold. An increase of .2 grains might help.

I believe Hodgdon's 147 bullet loads start at 3.2 grains...

Will

 

[Pisgah]

A clarification -- FTE can mean Failure To Extract or Failure To Eject. Assuming the latter -- she's limp-wristing.

 

[Magload]

That light a load and even a little limp wrist could cause a problem. Don

 

[OKFC05]

Familiar problem with several possible resolutions.
Basically, the ammo barely has enough power to function with the current recoil spring when held firmly by you. Add a less firm anchor, and it does not have enough energy.
You can either:
1. Put in a lighter recoil spring and not shoot full power ammo (which might then damage the gun if you did).
2. Put more powder in the load.
3. Teach your wife the rock-solid competitor hold that does not let the gun move.

Or some combination of the above. (the gun is not broken)

 

[Kaldor]

I kind of figured it might be limp wristing. My grip is viselike and the gun holds right on target for me. I'd prefer not to mess with the load because it shoots great. Guess I need to work with her more on her grip first, maybe bump .2 gr on the powder and see where that gets me.